Purple Rain

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Purple Rain

R

1984

1h 51m

Musical

Drama

Romance

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A victim of his own anger, the Kid (Prince) is a Minneapolis musician on the rise with his band, the Revolution, escaping a tumultuous home life through music. While trying to avoid making the same mistakes as his truculent father (Clarence Williams III), the Kid navigates the club scene and a rocky relationship with a captivating singer, Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero). But another musician, Morris (Morris Day), looks to steal the Kid's spotlight -- and his girl.

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Critics Consensus

Purple Rain makes for undeniably uneven cinema, but it's held together by its star's singular charisma -- not to mention a slew of classic songs.

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Joel Selvin

San Francisco Chronicle

Dec 8

4/4

The film hangs on the flimsiest of plots, but the movie is really about Prince delivering the message in his music. And it is above all a frankly sentimental film about love -- not sex, fired by the spectacular music.

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Eric Deggans

NPR

11/28/2019

Purple Rain became a generational manifesto, while providing the largest megaphone yet for one of the greatest geniuses in pop music.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

08/07/2018

Even those who aren't Prince fans are likely to be captivated by its energy, enamored with its simple, often poignant storyline.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 16

3/4

The drama is clunky, the acting is awful more often than not, and the casual sexism simmers throughout. But whenever Prince takes the stage, the picture irresistibly exudes sex, sweat, and swagger in equal measure.

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Douglas Corzine

Washington City Paper

Sep 15

Purple Rain features some of the most thrilling musical sequences ever put on film.

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

03/06/2025

4/5

More than just an extended music video.

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Erick M

@Purplehouse Apr 25

ITS STILL BETTER THAN ALL OF THE MUSIC BIO PICS EVER MADE. BETTER THAN ELVIS, BETTER THAN MICHAEL AND BETTER THAN BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY.

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Ethan G

@ethdrew05 Mar 17

Purple Rain is a powerful and emotional music film with unforgettable songs. Prince delivers an iconic performance, making it one of the most unique and memorable movies of the 80s.

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Travis T.

@BigT2004 Feb 24

This movie is So Good

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Jason H

@RT50328122 Jan 7

I'm not fond of the movie's misogyny.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Dec 15

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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VITALII H

@freakynickison Oct 26

I am ashamed to tell you that I was not too familiar with Prince's legacy and boy oh boy to say I'm impressed is equal to nothing. He was such a talent! His catalogue is simply unmatched. I got to see nothing but pure excellence when it comes to his performances, moves and expressions. When it comes to the movie itself. I'm glad I watched it because I wanted to know who Prince is. I just wish there was more chemistry between him and his onscreen parents, a strong dialogue or something. But then again maybe that's exactly how it was in real life for Prince... It's an old movie and you just can't complain about much. Of course if it would've been made years later then the production and writing would be better. But again, the beauty is in imperfections, nostalgia and 80s. The point of the movie was to show us what an incredible artist Prince was, that was the intention intended, and I saw it and I'm in awe. The like "This ain't lake Minnetonka" got me on the floor.

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Albert Magnoli

Director

Prince

The Kid

Apollonia Kotero

Apollonia

Morris Day

Morris

Jerome Benton

Jerome

Clarence Williams III

Father

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Synopsis

A victim of his own anger, the Kid (Prince) is a Minneapolis musician on the rise with his band, the Revolution, escaping a tumultuous home life through music. While trying to avoid making the same mistakes as his truculent father (Clarence Williams III), the Kid navigates the club scene and a rocky relationship with a captivating singer, Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero). But another musician, Morris (Morris Day), looks to steal the Kid's spotlight -- and his girl.

Director: Albert Magnoli
Producer: Robert Cavallo, Steven Fargnoli, Joseph Ruffalo
Screenwriter: William Blinn
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros., Purple Films
Rating: R
Genre: Musical, Drama, Romance, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 27, 1984, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Mar 5, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 15, 2008
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround